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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 15, 2012)
2 DECEMBER 15, 2012 Smoke Signals NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Maatings DATE TIME Wednesday, Dec.. 19 4 p.m. Wednt'Hday, Jan.. 2 4 p.m. Pirate note that the Be timet and date are subject to change if needed. m. 1 an n i n Dear fellow Tribal members: I hope everyone enjoyed our 29th Restoration Celebration and Thanksgiv ing holiday with family and friends. As we look back on 2012, 1 think we have a lot to be thankful for and celebrate. The Restoration Celebration, Tribal Christmas Party and Veterans Auction and Dinner were well-attended and it was great to see everyone. I want to personally thank all of the Tribe's members and friends who rallied together to defeat Oregon Ballot Measures 82 and 83. It was a good day for the Tribe and for Oregon. As your Chair, I want to take this opportunity to update everyone on some of the things happening within the Tribe, as well as some of the things Tribal Council has been working on to come in the next few months. Housing: Elder Housing Phase II is open and residents are moving in. The project included 20 Elder units and three grandfamily unit9. Tribal Elders will be enjoying the new units for the holidays. TERO Ordinance: Tribal Council has been reviewing the ordinance and it is likely that it will be out for a first reading after the first of the year. It is the hope that this ordinance will help to increase job opportunities for Tribal members, both in employment and contracting. Tribal Council Ethics: Tribal Council has been reviewing and discussing the implementation of new ethics provisions. The new provisions will be coming out soon for comment. Enrollment Audit: Phase I of the Enrollment Audit is complete. The au ditors will be meeting with Tribal Council toward the end of the month to discuss its findings. Constitutional Amendments: Tribal Council is also discussing the potential for some future Constitutional Amendments involving term limits and other issues that membership has discussed in the past. I will continue to keep the membership updated on these issues. Efficiency Cuts: As many of you may be aware, we have made cuts at Spirit Mountain Casino and in Tribal government for efficiency. We believe it is our responsibility to constantly evaluate for efficiency and make changes as necessary. We hope these changes will prove to be positive in 2013. Health Insurance: Our Tribal insurance premiums are a great expense to the Tribe and in the interest of efficiency, if at all possible and if Tribal members have an alternative resource for health insurance available, I encourage the use of alternative insurance in order to lessen our health care expenses. Reservation Amendment: Tribal Council has been working hard in 2012 for the passage in Congress of our Reservation Amendment, which would allow us to take property that we own within the boundaries of our pre existing Reservation directly into Reservation status, which saves us a great deal of time and money. It is our hope and expectation that this amendment will pass in the early part of 2013. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and here's to another great year in 2013 as we will be celebrat ing our 30th year since Restoration. As I recently stated at the Restoration Celebration, be proud to be Grand Ronde Tribal members and be thankful for all we receive. Hayu Masi, Reynold Leno Tribal Chairman New Year's Eve Powwow scheduled A New Year's Eve Powwow will be held starting at 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31, in the Tribal gym. Host drums will be the Woodsman, West Coast Boys and other drums to be announced. The evening will include dancing, singing and bringing in 2013. Attendees are asked to bring noise makers for the countdown to midnight. For more information, contact Brian Krehbiel at 503-879-4639 or Shannon Stanton at 503-879-1489. HMBHajBHBjniaMajaamBMBjM Tribal offices will be closing on Monday, Dec. 24, at noon and closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25, in observance of Christmas. Offices also will be closing on Monday, Dec. 31, at noon and closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, in observance of New Year's Day. General Council meeting Sunday, Jan. 6 11 a.m. Tribal Community Center PUBLICATIONS OFFICE 96 1 5 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347 1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173 Web site: www.grandronde.orgnews E-mail: newsgrandronde.org Twitter: CTGRgov Facebook: Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde SIOBHAN TAYLOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIRECTOR 503-879-1920 stobhjn.uytortfrandrondc.orf SCARLETT HOLTZ PUBLICATIONS SECRETARY 503-879-1453 sc1tt.holtigrindrondc.orf GEORGE VALDEZ GRAPHIC DESIGN SPECIALIST 503-879-1416 grorgr.wldfigrxidronde.org CHELSEA CLARK ACTING PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECRETARY 503-879-1418 cbehea.cUrt (dgrandronde.org JUSTIN PHILLIPS PAGE DESIGNER 503-879-2190 Ktttln.phllllpsgrandronde.org MICHELLE ALAIMO PHOTOJOURNALIST 503-879-1961 mkhelfe.alalmogrindronde.org DEAN RHODES PUBLICATIONS COORDINATOR 503-879-1463 dcan.nodesgrandronde.org RON KARTEN STAFF WRITER 503-879-4663 ron.kJrtrngrjrtdronde.org VALERIE COX CENTRAL PHONES 503-879-1447 valerle.coxgrandronde.org DEADLINE DATE ISSUE DATE Thursday, Dec. 20 Jan. I SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com munity of Oregon, is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted without permission. Our editorial policy is intended to encourage Input from Tribal members and readers about stories printed in the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mall address must be Included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not be published unless requested. SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council. c Members of: Native American Journalists Association The Associated Press Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association 2012-13 Tribal Council 1 -800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org Reyn Leno Chris Mercier Tribal Chairman ext. 2305 ext. 2399 chris.merdergrandronde.org reyn.lenograndronde.org n June $herer Jack Giffen Jr. - ext. 1 444 Tribal Vice Chair june.sherergrandronde.org ext. 2300 n Cheryle a. Kennedy iack.giffengrandronde.org ex(. 2352 Toby McClary cheryIe.kennedygrandronde.org Tribal Secretary q Kathleen Tom ext. 4555 ext j 777 toby.mcclarygrandronde.org kathJeen.tomgrandronde.org D Steve Bobb Sr. 0 jon A George ext. 2353 ext. 2355 steve.bobbgrandronde.org jon.georgegrandronde.org
